Walking safaris
Step into the wild
Step into the wild
Walks reveal a deeper layer of our wild places, from the floodplains of the Okavango to the albida groves of Mana Pools and the vast plains of the Serengeti. Led by guides trained to read every track and shift in behaviour, these on-foot moments complement your stay, revealing the bush’s subtleties, textures, tensions, rhythms and the small wonders a vehicle can often pass by.
The wilderness, up close
Walking in the wild
A walking safari with Wilderness is a guided on-foot activity which normally takes place instead of a morning game drive, seasonality and conditions allowing. These walks are led by highly trained, armed experts who keep safety top of mind. In small groups, you follow your guide’s quiet signals and steady pace, as they interpret tracks and behaviour.
Guided by experts
Meet our guides whose experiences have been shaped by years of tracking and countless hours in the bush. Mostly hailing from local communities, they have an instinctive understanding of the land, with training that includes advanced rifle handling, animal behaviour and walking. From the Delta floodplains to Zambezi woodlands, they hold a rare, lived knowledge of these destinations.
A slow safari
The pace of a walking safari is deliberately unhurried. Join your guide as he reads the morning newspaper; tracks pressed into sand, broken twigs, subtle signs of animal activity. Slow down and notice the spoor, learn about plants (and which ones make for good toothbrushes or toilet paper), and see the tiny critters that play a mighty role in the ecosystem.
Your senses awakened
On a walking safari, the senses awaken. Breathe in the sweet scent of wild sage. Listen to the crunch of dry grass beneath your boots. A sudden alarm call from a bird breaks the silence. A shift in wind hints at nearby game. The musky scent of buffalo mingles with the sharp, pungent tang of fresh dung. Each moment is layered with a living pulse which is impossible to miss when moving on foot.
The wild up close
On a walking safari, larger animals like elephants or giraffes are observed from a respectful distance, while the group moves in single file under the careful watch of your armed guide. That said, walks aren’t about ticking off the Big Five; they’re about noticing the smaller wonders; a sunbathing lizard, a camouflaged insect, or the delicate architecture of a termite mound.
Guided by experts
Guided by experts
Meet our guides whose experiences have been shaped by years of tracking and countless hours in the bush. Mostly hailing from local communities, they have an instinctive understanding of the land, with training that includes advanced rifle handling, animal behaviour and walking. From the Delta floodplains to Zambezi woodlands, they hold a rare, lived knowledge of these destinations.
A slow safari
A slow safari
The pace of a walking safari is deliberately unhurried. Join your guide as he reads the morning newspaper; tracks pressed into sand, broken twigs, subtle signs of animal activity. Slow down and notice the spoor, learn about plants (and which ones make for good toothbrushes or toilet paper), and see the tiny critters that play a mighty role in the ecosystem.
Your senses awakened
Your senses awakened
On a walking safari, the senses awaken. Breathe in the sweet scent of wild sage. Listen to the crunch of dry grass beneath your boots. A sudden alarm call from a bird breaks the silence. A shift in wind hints at nearby game. The musky scent of buffalo mingles with the sharp, pungent tang of fresh dung. Each moment is layered with a living pulse which is impossible to miss when moving on foot.
The wild up close
The wild up close
On a walking safari, larger animals like elephants or giraffes are observed from a respectful distance, while the group moves in single file under the careful watch of your armed guide. That said, walks aren’t about ticking off the Big Five; they’re about noticing the smaller wonders; a sunbathing lizard, a camouflaged insect, or the delicate architecture of a termite mound.
Let's take a walk
Talk to your Travel Designer who will help you choose the best Wilderness camps for walking.
Pre-book your walkWildlife encounters
A walking safari transforms the way you experience wildlife. Without engines or the hum of vehicles, animals behave differently; small mammals emerge, moving with natural caution rather than alarm. The absence of noise allows you to notice subtle behaviours and each sighting creates dialogue and discussion in a way no drive can replicate.
Tracks & signs
Reading the bush through tracks, calls, and signs.
Giants on foot
Respecting giants with safe, rare, awe-filled encounters.
The small things
Discover hidden life including small animals, insects, and birds.
Plants & nature
Learn about the flora and different biomes in the ecosystem.
Planning your adventure
Planning a walking safari starts with understanding what experience speaks to you, whether that’s slow, desert strolls in Namibia, birding in the wetlands of Botswana or walking alongside elephants in Zimbabwe. Our Travel Designers know the nuances of every Wilderness camp, the best seasons for walking, and which routes suit different interests and they’ll help curate the perfect journey for you.
When to go
Walking safaris are at their best during the dry season, when cooler mornings make for comfortable walking conditions and wildlife gathers more predictably around water sources. That said, while June to September is the classic walking window, our Travel Designers can also help you plan a trip in green or summer season if its migratory birds and lush landscapes you are after.
Fitness & age
A reasonable level of fitness is required and you should be comfortable walking steadily for a few hours over uneven terrain, often in warm conditions. Children under 13 aren’t permitted on big-game walks and travellers over a certain age may be asked to provide a certificate of fitness. That said, your guide will always set a pace that suits the group.
What to pack
Packing for a walking safari is all about keeping things light, functional, and comfortable. Choose neutral-coloured clothing that blends with the environment, a wide-brim hat, sunscreen, and sturdy, worn-in walking shoes. A small daypack is useful for carrying water, a light jacket, and essentials like binoculars. If you’re bringing a camera, keep gear minimal.
Combing activities
Combining walking with other activities is one of the joys of a Wilderness safari, giving you a varied way to understand each landscape. Your day could consist of a morning walk and afternoon game drive, boat safari or even an e-bike adventure. Your walk could also end at a bush picnic allowing you to truly exhale and enjoy the experience.
When to go
When to go
Walking safaris are at their best during the dry season, when cooler mornings make for comfortable walking conditions and wildlife gathers more predictably around water sources. That said, while June to September is the classic walking window, our Travel Designers can also help you plan a trip in green or summer season if its migratory birds and lush landscapes you are after.
Fitness & age
Fitness & age
A reasonable level of fitness is required and you should be comfortable walking steadily for a few hours over uneven terrain, often in warm conditions. Children under 13 aren’t permitted on big-game walks and travellers over a certain age may be asked to provide a certificate of fitness. That said, your guide will always set a pace that suits the group.
What to pack
What to pack
Packing for a walking safari is all about keeping things light, functional, and comfortable. Choose neutral-coloured clothing that blends with the environment, a wide-brim hat, sunscreen, and sturdy, worn-in walking shoes. A small daypack is useful for carrying water, a light jacket, and essentials like binoculars. If you’re bringing a camera, keep gear minimal.
Combining activities
Combing activities
Combining walking with other activities is one of the joys of a Wilderness safari, giving you a varied way to understand each landscape. Your day could consist of a morning walk and afternoon game drive, boat safari or even an e-bike adventure. Your walk could also end at a bush picnic allowing you to truly exhale and enjoy the experience.
Where to walk
We offer walking safaris in some of Africa’s most remarkable destinations. In Botswana, the Linyanti & Okavango Delta offer diverse terrain & reliable wildlife. Zimbabwe’s Hwange and Mana Pools feature rich savannah & woodland environments. Namibia’s desert showcases geological wonders & desert-adapted wildlife, and Zambia’s Kafue, bound by seasonal rhythms, reveals Africa as it once was.
Where to walk
Walking in Botswana
Botswana’s Linyanti Wildlife Reserve & the Okavango Delta offer a mosaic of floodplains, winding channels, islands, and mopane woodlands. Walking here reveals the delicate life that these waterways sustain. Dry season, from May to October, offers the best chance to take to these areas on foot when grasses are shorter, days are cooler and the surrounding bush thins out for better views of wildlife.
Walking in Zimbabwe
Hwange and Mana Pools offer contrasting but equally compelling terrain for walking safaris. Hwange’s mopane woodland, teak forest, and seasonal pans are great for tracking and birdlife, while Mana Pools’ riverine forests and floodplains reveal elephants and aquatic life. The dry season, May to October, is best for walking, when water recedes and wildlife is more predictable.
Walking in Zambia
Kafue National Park offers a vast area of staggering biodiversity, from miombo woodlands and seasonally flooded plains to riverine glades. Walking here brings you into wildlife‑rich habitats where you can track antelope, and pick up on the spoor of leopard, wild dog or cheetah. The dry season, from May through October, is when our camps here are open and offers the prime time for walking safaris.
Walking in Namibia
Namibia’s deserts offer a walking safari like no other. From tracking Critically Endangered black rhinos across arid plains, to spotting desert-adapted oryx and springbok. Walks reveal the surreal beauty of towering dunes, rocky escarpments, and dry riverbeds, where geological formations tell ancient stories. Each step uncovers subtle signs of life in this stark yet vibrant environment.
Walking in Rwanda
In addition to hiking on your gorilla trek, Wilderness Bisate and Bisate Reserve have a number of walking trails to explore. There are guided walks to the nearby village, or simple routes to take in the amazing reforestation efforts on the concession. The walking trails are all clearly marked and require different fitness levels.
Walking in Tanzania
Away from the crowds as well as a safe distance from any migrating animals. Wilderness Usawa offers a number of guided walking experiences that offer a perspective of the Serengeti that only a few have seen. Dont forget to pack your binoculars so you can safely view the vast number of animals from a safe distance.
Walking in Botswana
Walking in Botswana
Botswana’s Linyanti Wildlife Reserve & the Okavango Delta offer a mosaic of floodplains, winding channels, islands, and mopane woodlands. Walking here reveals the delicate life that these waterways sustain. Dry season, from May to October, offers the best chance to take to these areas on foot when grasses are shorter, days are cooler and the surrounding bush thins out for better views of wildlife.
Walking in Zimbabwe
Walking in Zimbabwe
Hwange and Mana Pools offer contrasting but equally compelling terrain for walking safaris. Hwange’s mopane woodland, teak forest, and seasonal pans are great for tracking and birdlife, while Mana Pools’ riverine forests and floodplains reveal elephants and aquatic life. The dry season, May to October, is best for walking, when water recedes and wildlife is more predictable.
Walking in Zambia
Walking in Zambia
Kafue National Park offers a vast area of staggering biodiversity, from miombo woodlands and seasonally flooded plains to riverine glades. Walking here brings you into wildlife‑rich habitats where you can track antelope, and pick up on the spoor of leopard, wild dog or cheetah. The dry season, from May through October, is when our camps here are open and offers the prime time for walking safaris.
Walking in Namibia
Walking in Namibia
Namibia’s deserts offer a walking safari like no other. From tracking Critically Endangered black rhinos across arid plains, to spotting desert-adapted oryx and springbok. Walks reveal the surreal beauty of towering dunes, rocky escarpments, and dry riverbeds, where geological formations tell ancient stories. Each step uncovers subtle signs of life in this stark yet vibrant environment.
Walking in Rwanda
Walking in Rwanda
In addition to hiking on your gorilla trek, Wilderness Bisate and Bisate Reserve have a number of walking trails to explore. There are guided walks to the nearby village, or simple routes to take in the amazing reforestation efforts on the concession. The walking trails are all clearly marked and require different fitness levels.
Walking in Tanzania
Walking in Tanzania
Away from the crowds as well as a safe distance from any migrating animals. Wilderness Usawa offers a number of guided walking experiences that offer a perspective of the Serengeti that only a few have seen. Dont forget to pack your binoculars so you can safely view the vast number of animals from a safe distance.
WILDERNESS24
Walking safely in the wild
Your safety is paramount on a walking safari. We take only small groups (ideally six, never more than eight) under the guidance of highly trained, armed professionals. Each walk begins with a thorough briefing, covering wildlife behaviour, wind, cover, and safe distances. Guides draw on years of experience to approach animals quietly, and leave without disturbance. We are proud of our exceptional safety record, combining expertise, vigilance, and professionalism to make walking in Africa’s wildest places both thrilling and safe.
Note: walks are restricted to guests aged 13 and older.
Best camps for walking activities
DumaTau Camp
Home to Africa’s highest density of elephants, supremely chic DumaTau offers exceptional wildlife encounters.
Explore Camp
Linkwasha
Experience exceptional game viewing at elegant and contemporary Linkwasha, on the edge of Hwange’s famed Ngamo Plains.
Explore Camp
Wilderness Bisate Lodge
Voted Africa’s #1 safari lodge, Bisate marries a life-list mountain gorilla adventure with sublime luxury in the rainforest.
Explore Camp
Toka Leya
Toka Leya offers front row seats to a daily wilderness spectacle from its serene setting on the banks of the Zambezi River.
Explore Camp
Little Kulala
You can’t get much closer to the renowned dunes of Sossusvlei and the evocative panoramas of Dead Vlei than Little Kulala.
Explore Camp
Usawa Serengeti
A luxury mobile safari adventure promising an intimate, private way to experience Tanzania’s most famous safari destination.
Explore CampFrequently asked questions
General
Safety
Preparation
Walk where the wild still rules
Experience the intimacy, silence, and connection that only a walking safari can bring. Speak to our Travel Designers to craft your perfect on-foot adventure.
Plan your walking safari
Let’s plan your next journey
Ready?
When we say we’re there every step of the way, we mean it, literally. From planning the perfect circuit, to private inter-camp transfers on Wilderness Air, and easing you through Customs. We’re with you on the ground, at your side, 24-7, from start to finish. Ready to take the road less travelled? Contact our Travel Designers to plan an unforgettable journey.